Tawny Frogmouth

Tawny Frogmouth

Podargus strigoides

Quick Facts

During the day, this nocturnal bird usually sleeps in a sedentary position. At the hint of a threat or disturbance they freeze, compacting their plumage and closing their eyes and looking just like a broken branch. This behavior is called "stumping". Often mistaken for owls, they are part of the nightjar, nighthawks and whippoorwill family. The biggest threat to tawny frogmouths are road accidents. This is due to insects being attracted to car lights and in turn the tawny frogmouth being attracted to the insects. Unfortunately in the pursuit of a meal it is common for these birds to glide down and crash into a car.